Tripogon tirumalae

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 60–75 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths 6–8 cm long; glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform, or linear; 20–30 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle 15–20 cm long.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 15–20 cm long. Rhachis flattened; glabrous on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 9–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear, or lanceolate; laterally compressed; 7–7.5 mm long; 1.8–2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume linear, or lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous. Lower glume apex with a unilateral tooth. Upper glume linear, or lanceolate; 3.5–4 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblanceolate; 2.8–3.1 mm long; 1.2 mm wide; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface hirsute; hairy at base. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 4–4.2 mm long overall. Palea linear, or lanceolate; 2 mm long; 0.75 length of lemma; 2 -veined; 2-keeled. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1 mm long. Stigmas plumose.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Chorge 2014.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.